Louis Gossett, Jr., whose Academy Award for best supporting actor in the 1982 film “An Officer and a Gentleman” ended a 19-year drought for African-American actors, will be in Denver on Saturday to be honored at a fundraising gala put on by The Spirituals Project.

Gossett will receive the second annual Jericho Award at the Red Gala, a cocktail party and dinner that begins at 6 p.m. at the Marriott City Center. The award, says Amani Ali, executive director of The Spirituals Project, “Honors the memory of enslaved Africans and those who spoke out — and continue to speak out — against racial injustice.”

The Spirituals Project, based at the University of Denver, is dedicated to preserving and promoting spirituals, the religious folk songs created and first sung by African-Americans in slavery. Some of the better-known titles are “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Wade in the Water” and “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho.”

Gossett made his professional acting debut when he was 17, appearing in “Take a Giant Step.” His performance caught the attention of critics and audiences alike and earned him the Donaldson Award for best newcomer to the theater.

His career blossomed after that, and in addition to the Oscar, he has also received two Emmys and two Golden Globes. Gossett also is the author of “An Actor and a Gentleman,” and he will autograph copies of it at the gala.

Outside of acting, Gossett is involved with the Eracism Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the National World War I Museum in Kansas City.

The inaugural Red Gala, held in September 2010, honored Harry Belafonte.